隨著五一勞動節來臨，許多人都計畫趁著三天連假外出旅遊，但這次勞動節的出遊可能會面臨交通安排上的選擇和改變，因為台鐵工會已經預告將於五月一日發起不加班的抗爭運動，台鐵也宣布當日將停駛所有列車，今天就讓我們從中央社最初對台鐵罷工事件的英文報導學多益測驗中常考的單字吧！
protest、demonstration 抗議
More than 12,000 Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) employees, including 90 percent of its drivers, have vowed not to work on May 1 to protest the government’s proposal to corporatize the transportation agency.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay / 照片：Pixabay提供
（超過一萬兩千名台鐵員工，包含90%的列車駕駛員已決定將在五月一日當天罷工，以抗議政府將台鐵公司化的提案。）
protest「抗議」可以是動詞或名詞，但要注意動詞的重音在第二音節，名詞則在第一音節。此外，也可用動詞stage 來表達「組織、發起」如stage a protest「舉行抗議」。
A group of people gathered in front of City Hall to protest against the government’s mask mandate.
（一群人聚集在市政府前抗議政府的口罩令。）
除了protest，也可以用demonstration (n)表示「示威、抗議」，protesters／demonstrators代表「抗議者」。
A big crowd of demonstrators was protesting the recent tax increase.
（一群示威者在抗議最近增稅。）
demonstrate (v)是一字多義，除了代表「示威」，在多益測驗中多為「示範」的意思，生活中經常聽到大家說demo，就是demonstration的名詞。
During our training workshop, our instructor will demonstrate how to use a power drill properly and safely.
（在我們的訓練工作坊裡，講師會示範如何適當並安全地使用電鑽。）
以「罷工」形式發起的抗議，經常用strike (n)，就是這次台鐵的罷工。新聞報導中罷工的起因是源自於台鐵「公司化」corporatize (v)，大家對這個單字一定相當熟悉，因為它的名詞corporation「公司」、形容詞corporate「公司的」經常在多益測驗中出現，但這次加上動詞字尾「-ze」。類似情況的單字還有systemize「系統化」、modernize「現代化」。而和corporatize相反的就是state-owned enterprise、government-owned enterprise「國營企業」。
During the speech, Mr Azar emphasized the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In other words, companies should have a positive influence on the world.
（在他的演講中，阿扎爾強調企業社會責任的重要性，也就是說，公司對世界應該要有正面的影響。）
shift 值班
Based on shift schedules, 1,200 TRA drivers should be working on Labor Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, but fewer than 40 of them might actually show up for work. （根據排班時刻表，週日的五一勞動節應該有一千兩百名台鐵駕駛員上班，但實際上班人數可能不到四十人。）
shift schedule代表「值班表」，shift (n)是一個重要的多義詞，在這裡指的是「一段工作時間；值班」，譬如「晚班」night shift；但在多益測驗中常用做動詞或名詞，代表「改變、轉移」。
What shift do you work tomorrow? The morning one or the afternoon one?
（你明天的班是何時？早上還是下午？）
GenoTech, like other Western companies, is shifting its manufacturing from China to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam.
（如同其他西方企業，GenoTech也正將其製造業從中國轉移到越南等東南亞國家。）
bill 帳單、草案
台鐵工會對於交通部所提的草案不滿，認為政府未和工會充分溝通，因此希望他們能撤回這項提議。
The union is insisting that the bill be withdrawn from the legislature and replaced with a new version after the ministry and the labor union hold discussions and reach a consensus.
（工會堅持在交通部與工會進行討論並達成共識後，重新撤回草案並以新版送審。）
bill (n)最廣泛熟知的意思是「帳單」，這裡當名詞指「提案」，因此「草案」也可以說是 draft bill，draft (n)「草稿、草稿」，當動詞作「起草（文件、計畫）」。
People have urged lawmakers to pass a bill which would require a longer sentence for drunk drivers.
（人民督促立委通過一項法案，讓酒駕司機判處更長的刑期。）
We’ll have our legal team draft the contract first.
（我們先讓法務團隊起草合約。）
「撤回」法案可以用withdraw (v)，如果在銀行的情境，就是代表「提款」，用在戰爭新聞中則是「撤軍」的意思。
Aster, a French retailer, has decided to withdraw from Taiwan market.
（法國零售商Aster決定撤出台灣市場。）
consensus (n)「共識」，常搭配動詞reach 或 achieve 表示「達成共識」。
【多益模擬試題】
1. ________ increasing labor costs, several shoe manufacturers have shifted their production overseas.
(A) Since
(B) However
(C) Therefore
(D) Due to
2. After Ms. Fernandez retires in July, it will be Mr. Johnson’s responsibility to review all ________ contracts.
(A) corporal
(B) cooperate
(C) corporate
(D) corps
【解析】
1. 正解(D)。要選擇符合文法結構的詞，(A)、(B)、(C)都需要搭配句子或子句，只有(D)符合句構和語意「由於勞工成本增加，不少鞋廠將製造移到海外。」
2. 正解(C)。語意為「在Fernandez女士七月退休後，將由Johnson先生負責審核公司合約。」本題是單字題，要選擇適合空格的詞性和字義。(A)身體的、(B)合作、(D)單位；團隊。故(C)為正確答案。
Source: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/toeic-issue/tra-strike
文章由 English OK 授權使用: www.englishok.com.tw
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
本文由生成式AI協作，本刊編輯編修。 Tucked away in southwestern Taiwan, Yunlin County is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty. From its stunning temples and glove puppetry to historical architecture and picturesque landscapes, Yunlin rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Yunlin is renowned for its flourishing temple culture. Temples in this region are not merely places of worship but also communal centers where people gather for festivals, rituals, and social functions. One of the most notable temples here is the Beigang Chaotian Temple, which was built more than 300 years ago and is dedicated to Matsu, the sea
Nestled within the heart of Taipei, National Taiwan University (NTU) contains a grand and spacious sanctuary where nature and academia come together in perfect accord. Across its expansive 111-hectare campus, NTU reveals a landscape rich with history, lush greenery, and a thoughtfully preserved ecosystem. This tranquil haven invites visitors to take their time wandering among the elegant buildings, to admire the rare plants, and to experience a space that exudes quiet inspiration. Zhoushan Road: A Gentle Prelude to NTU’s Tranquility Beginning at Gongguan MRT Station, the enchanting avenue Zhoushan Road leads visitors into NTU shaded by golden rain trees, cottonwoods, and Javanese
RSS